🎙 Album Review: David Francey’s MAPS - A Songwriter’s Life in Landmarks

"In MAPS, David Francey gifts us more than a record. He gives us a companion — a sonic sketchbook of resilience, reflection, and deep human connection. It's a reminder that the best songs don’t just entertain — they help us find our way." Stevie Connor, The Sound Cafe

David Francey – MAPS

🗓 Release Date: July 22

🎵 Highlight: Brand new track Corpus Christi

🎤 Tour Dates: Halifax, Canso, Seymour, Canmore, Kilburn, Pictou, Souris

📍 Full info: www.davidfrancey.com

I’ll be honest — I’m not even going to pretend to be objective here. I’m a huge fan of David Francey. Always have been. Not just of the songs — which are masterclasses in honest, pared-down poetry — or of the voice that somehow speaks to both the struggle and the solace. But I’m a fan of the man himself. A craftsman in every sense of the word. I’ve had the honour of interviewing David and meeting him on several occasions, and each time, I’m reminded that the same authenticity and decency you hear in his music is the real deal in person.

So, when I heard he was releasing a new collection titled MAPS — a reflection on a songwriting journey spanning over 50 years — I knew we were in for something special.

Out July 22nd, MAPS is more than just an album. It’s a deeply personal musical retrospective — a hand-drawn atlas of David’s life and work. The songs were chosen not just by David, but by the people who have walked beside him on this journey: his fans. He asked them which of his songs had stuck with them, guided them, comforted them. Those responses, along with David’s own picks, make up this powerful tracklist — including a brand-new song, Corpus Christi.

“I have been writing songs for more than 50 years,” David says. “Each song is a map that helped me navigate through the ups and downs life put in my way. I’d have been lost without them.”

That kind of reflection hits hard if you’ve followed David’s story — from Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born to factory-working parents, to rail yards and construction sites across Canada, to becoming one of the most respected folk voices in the country.

He didn’t set out to become a singer-songwriter. In fact, it was his wife, artist Beth Girdler, who encouraged him to finally share the songs he’d been quietly crafting while working blue-collar jobs and raising a family. He released his first album, Torn Screen Door, at the age of 45 — and nothing’s been quite the same since.

Four JUNO Awards, international recognition, and a string of albums later, David Francey is still doing what he’s always done — telling the truth in song. His voice, as The Edmonton Journal once wrote, “manages to address deep stuff with such spare ingredients.” It’s exactly that stripped-back sincerity that makes his music so timeless.

MAPS is an outstanding release, presented as a two-disc set. The first disc features remastered classics:

• Red-Winged Blackbird - Remastered 2025 (2:42)

• Come Rain or Come Shine - Remastered 2025 (2:59)

• Paper Boy - Remastered 2025 (2:20)

• The Waking Hour - Remastered 2025 (3:39)

• Lonely Road - Remastered 2025 (2:29)

• Blue Water - Remastered 2025 (3:13)

• Broken Glass - Remastered 2025 (3:19)

• Ballad of Bowser MacRae - Remastered 2025 (3:09)

• Satellite - Remastered 2025 (2:52)

• Morning Train - Remastered 2025 (2:26)

• Hard Steel Mill - Remastered 2025 (3:08)

• The Flower of Colonsay - Remastered 2025 (2:46)

• Annie’s House - Remastered 2025 (4:02)

• Border Line - Remastered 2025 (3:17)

• Ashtabula - Remastered 2025 (3:12)

• Nearly Midnight - Remastered 2025 (3:53)

• Skating Rink - Remastered 2025 (2:45)

• Highway 95 - Remastered 2025 (3:27)

The second disc continues this journey with more gems, including a bonus new track:

• Ankle Tattoo

• Fool

• The Gate

• Rain

• Empty Train

• Far End of Summer

• Only Love

• Walking in Jerusalem

• Saints and Sinners

• February Morning Drive

• Kansas

• Pandora’s Box

• Tonight in My Dreams

• Banks of the Seaway

• All Lights Burning Bright

• Lucky Man

• Grateful

• Torn Screen Door

• Bonus Track: Corpus Christi

The discs contain some of my personal favourites like Border Line, Morning Train, Torn Screen Door, Empty Train, Walking in Jerusalem, Red-Winged Blackbird, The Flower of Colonsay, and more. Of course, every listener will have their own favourites to cherish. For long-time fans and newcomers alike, this release is a perfect gateway into the depth and breadth of David’s work.

Born with a paper boy’s curiosity and a builder’s hands, David has always sung from the ground up. His lyrics hold a mirror to working lives, immigrant stories, rural roads, and the politics of empathy. Even as his music has taken him across the country and around the world, his roots remain planted in places like the Lanark Highlands of Ontario, where he lives with Beth — surrounded by family, trees, and the silence that feeds the songs.

As a performer, David is equal parts wry storyteller and heart-on-sleeve troubadour. Whether in a sold-out hall or an intimate folk club, he brings audiences into his world with warmth, humility, and humour. You feel like you’re not just listening to a show — you’re being welcomed into something real.

The upcoming tour in support of MAPS includes stops at The Carleton in Halifax (already sold out), the legendary Stan Rogers Folk Festival, the Canmore Folk Fest, and a host of other beloved venues across the country. It’s the perfect way to experience this music — straight from the source.

And we must also tip our hats to the remarkable musicians and backing vocalists who have accompanied David across his recordings. Some of the finest talents around have added their artistry to these songs, enriching the sound while honouring the honesty at the core of each track.

So sit back, pour a glass of wine, or a wee dram, and lose yourself for an hour or two with one of the master storytellers of our time.

Album Artwork by Beth Girdler

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Stevie Connor, a Scottish-born polymath of the music scene, is renowned for his versatility across various domains within the industry. Initially destined for football, Stevie's heart found its true calling in music. His multifaceted journey has seen him excel as a musician, composer, recording artist, journalist, and internet radio pioneer.

In 2012, Stevie laid the foundation for Blues and Roots Radio, an online platform that quickly became a global stage for blues, roots, folk, Americana, and Celtic music. His visionary leadership propelled the platform to international acclaim. Not content with just one venture, Stevie expanded his influence in 2020 by founding The Sound Cafe Magazine, a multilingual platform dedicated to artist interviews, album reviews, and music news.

Stevie's impact extends beyond these platforms. His discerning ear and industry acumen have presented opportunities to be selected as a juror for national awards such as the JUNO Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Maple Blues Awards. Through his tireless efforts, he has earned a solid reputation within the music community, garnering respect from peers and artists alike.

Despite his extensive responsibilities, Stevie remains deeply connected to his roots, both musically and geographically. He continues to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the music world, ensuring his influence resonates far beyond any single platform. Stevie's enduring passion and commitment to music make him a true luminary in the industry.

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